Chapter 169 Assassin
Galdino's P.O.V.
After Ari and Dakota's announcement, I had one of my guys take me to my compound. The house is made of stone, so it's still standing but totally ruined. I walk through the rubble and feel like crying. I have so many memories here. My dad was ruthless, but he did the best he could raising me.
I walk through the living room and see some picture frames, but the images inside are gone. Most of those pictures were of Ari's childhood. I knew he and Dakota would get married, but I didn't expect him to ask her so soon. She's had a lot thrown at her recently, but she's handling it all well. Dakota was born to be a boss. There's no question about that. I just hope she gives herself a break sometimes.
I haven't told Dakota, but I had to fire Haydee and Rana. On their first day working in the restaurant, they were trying to proposition men for sex. I don't tolerate that, and I warned them, but some habits die hard. I make my way to my office. It's burnt, but not as much as the rest of the rooms downstairs. I can tell someone has been through my desk. They're not very bright if they think I would leave incriminating evidence inside of it.
I'm not stupid. I know one of the other families is responsible for this. I just have to find out which one. When I do, they're dead. They have a lot of nerve to burn my house down and then threaten me if I don't break up Ari and Dakota. I would never come between them. Ari deserves to have a woman who loves him. I know he's scared she'll leave like his mom did, but he has nothing to worry about with Dakota. She fights hard, but I can tell she loves harder.
I go to my safe, which is hidden in the wall. Even if the picture covering it is removed, you can't see it. Ari and I are the only ones who know it's there. It can only be opened by placing our hand against a certain area on the wall where our handprint is scanned. I put my hand on the wall, and I'm surprised to hear it open. It runs on a battery because I wanted to be able to open it even if the power is out. The door opens, and I find the contents undamaged. I open the bag I brought and put my files inside first, followed by the cash. Most of our money is in banks around the world, but some transactions are better done in cash.
I pull out some of Ari's childhood things and smile. I'm glad I thought to put them in here. The last thing is the box of mementos from my dad and Gloria's relationship. I open the box and look at the contents. I'm sure Dakota, Ari, and Anushka would like to see this. I'm glad my dad had a chance to find true love, and now Ari has done the same with Gloria's granddaughter. It's funny how the universe works. If Gloria had stayed with my dad, Dakota wouldn't have been here, so things seemed to work out exactly as they were supposed to. Dad loved Dakota just as much as he loved Ari. I close the box and carefully put it in the top of the bag.
After closing the bag, I leave the office and head to the stairs. The steps are stone, so they're intact. I stop at Ari's room first. There's not as much damage upstairs, so some of his things are fine. I can tell someone has gone through this room as well. I open his closet, and his clothes smell like smoke, so I leave them there. I look around but don't see anything that he would want right now. It's kind of sad. He's had this room since he was a child, but in some ways, it seems like he was just a guest.
I leave his room and go to mine. I don't think there's much I want to take, but I still want to look around. I open the door, and the room is dark. I walk over to open the curtains and freeze. I'm not alone. I turn around, and someone is sitting in the chair near the fireplace with a gun pointed at me.
"Hello, Galdino. I have a message for you. Get ready to see your dad in hell."